Hot Inflation Drives Up Estimated 2025 Social Security COLA to 3%, But Many Seniors Still Struggle with Rising Costs

Social Security's 2025 COLA estimate rose to 3% due to hotter-than-expected March inflation figures
The COLA aims to help seniors keep pace with inflation, but many still struggle as prices outpace the adjustment
The March CPI rose 3.5% annually, higher than expected, indicating inflation is still heating up
COLA is based on a Labor Department inflation index specifically for urban wage earners
Even with COLA, poverty has increased among seniors and more owe taxes on Social Security benefits due to bracket creep